Second man pleads guilty to dogfighting charges

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A St. Joseph man pleaded guilty today to promoting dogfighting.

Rick P. Hihath, 55, pleaded guilty in federal court. He and six other men (including one who taught at a high school in my hometown) were charged in June with running a dogfighting operation. A three-state raid seized 350 dogs.

Hihath, who worked at a state school for the disabled, pleaded guilty to transporting dogs across states lines (from Iowa and Nebraska to Missouri) to fight and being the Don King of dogfighting.

Last week, Cris E. Bottcher, a 48-year-old nurse from

Gilman City, Missouri, admitted that he transported dogs

across state lines for an animal fighting venture, and sponsored the dogfighting venture.

The government is trying to take over ownership of Hihath’s seven pit bull terriers and five American bulldogs as well as Bottcher’s 11 pit bull terriers. The Humane Society is taking care of the dogs now. 

Hihath could get up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $500,000. A sentencing hearing hasn’t been set yet.